Written by

Detroit Free Press staff

The Pistons might be interested in sharing an arena with the Red Wings someday, but in the near future, that seems unlikely.

Dennis Mannion, who runs Palace Sports & Entertainment, has been making changes and upgrades in the past year as if the Palace of Auburn Hills will be the Pistons’ home for a long time. The arena underwent a $13-million-plus overhaul last summer.

Pistons spokesman Kevin Grigg declined to comment for the team Wednesday when contacted by the Free Press about plans for a new, $650-million sports arena and entertainment district on the north end of downtown.

Pistons owner Tom Gores has said he would consider a shared arrangement with the Wings, even though he has a very functional and paid-for Palace. He said he would consider a move if it could grow his basketball investment. But it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which the Pistons would leave a place with significant investment that still is considered a top-notch facility and move somewhere else to become a tenant.

Mark Barnhill, a partner in the Platinum Equity investment group headed by Gores, said in April that ownership was “quite happy” at the Palace. NBA Commissioner David Stern endorsed the Palace when asked by the Free Press in January about the Pistons’ arena situation.

“It’s been a great home for us, and indeed it is, I’d say, given the recent reinvestments that have been made by Tom Gores and Dennis Mannion and that whole team,” Stern said. “It’s the best preserved of its age that we have, and it’s just about as modern as can be. So I have had not part of any discussion for a replacement arena for that.”